LYNCH RETURNS TO AREA AS OAK RIDGE BOYS COACH

As far as Paul Lynch is concerned, there is no place for his Oak Ridge basketball team to go but up.

Lynch, the Blue Jays' first-year coach, inherits a squad that went just 2-21 last season. His goals for this year are realistic."We're going to be young and expectations aren't really high as far as wins and losses," he said. "We're looking to work hard and be competitive and, as the year goes by, try to scrape together a few wins."The kids have been working real hard in practice and they've got a good attitude. They've been receptive to a new coach. There has been so much change in the coaching staff the past few years, it's hard for the kids to adjust."While Lynch is beginning his first season at Oak Ridge, he's certainly no stranger to the area. Lynch was a star athlete at Notre Dame High School and later played baseball at Southeast Missouri State University. He coached in the area for a few years before spending the last couple of seasons in the Springfield area, but he's glad to be back."It's good to be back in the area," he said. "I know how tough of an area this is for basketball and it's hard to compete if you don't have the intensity and enthusiasm. We're trying to pick that up."The Blue Jays lost many of their key varsity players from last year, but Lynch will be counting on a mix of returning performers and new varsity members.

Oak Ridge has four seniors on its roster. Duran Engeler and Ryan Thomas, two 5-foot-8 players, saw varsity action last year and will be counted on. Other seniors are 6-1 Brad Warner and 5-11 Tyler Schaper.

Among the juniors, 5-10 Beau Morrison is one of the school's better all-around athletes and, after seeing plenty of varsity action last year, figures to be a key player. Matt Schoen, the squad's tallest player at 6-4, also saw varsity action a year ago while 6-foot Ben Fadler is another junior.

Lynch will be counting on several sophomores, led by 6-1 Adam Hahs, who did not play last year but should be one of the squad's top performers. Other sophomores who figure to help out are 6-foot Jeff Cowen and 5-8 Clayton Ruesler.

One freshman that figures into Lynch's plans is 5-11 Zach Ruesler.

While the Blue Jays won't have much height, Lynch said, "I think we'll be fairly quick."The Blue Jays opened the season Nov. 22 at East Prairie. They'll compete this week in the Woodland Tournament.